Australian small business owners are turning to skilled local freelancers and upping their digital marketing spend as they move online to connect with customers and keep cash flow positive.
The Federal Government’s pandemic response has earned a tick from small business owners as have those of New South Wales and Queensland, but one in three Victorian business owners are unhappy with the Andrews Government.
Two in three small business owners nationally want JobKeeper extended past September.
The findings come from the first Fiverr Small Business Sentiment Survey. The research was commissioned by freelancing marketplace Fiverr, which connects business owners and entrepreneurs with skilled freelancers offering digital services. It was conducted by independent researchers PureProfile between July 17 and 22, who surveyed 500 Australian business owners employing between one and 50 people.
Four in five owners would rather pay more for an Aussie freelancer than cut costs by sending work offshore, the research found. This is despite the impact of COVID-19 on small business owners, which has seen two in three business owners lose money. Of those negatively affected by COVID, three in four lost more than $10,000 and one in five lost more than $100,000.
Still, more than half the small business owners remain optimistic about the future.
“Despite the shock of COVID-19, Australian small businesses owners remain resilient, optimistic and resourceful,” said Fiverr Vice President of International Expansion, Peggy de Lange.
“They are engaging more adaptive teams, embracing remote work and moving online. They are embracing skilled local freelancers who are helping them find new ways to connect with customers in a rapidly changing world.”
